A Slidell man accused of killing a St. Tammany Parish firefighter, then hiding his body in the trunk of a car he intended to steal, was indicted Tuesday morning on a charge of first-degree murder.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's OfficeMichael Lizana

Michael Damien Lizana, 33, of Military Road near Slidell, was arrested in April after he allegedly shot David Smith, a 43-year-old battalion chief, four times in the chest, shoulder and head.

Smith was a 23-year veteran of St. Tammany Parish's 1st Fire Protection District, which serves the city of Slidell and surrounding areas.

He was trying to sell his Camaro and knew Lizana only as someone interested in buying the car, authorities said. The two met at Smith's house on Moonraker Drive near Slidell on April 25, and neighbors called the Sheriffs Office just after 3 p.m., reporting that they heard four gunshots in rapid succession.

St. Tammany Parish sheriff's deputies found Smith's body wrapped in plastic sheeting in the trunk of the Camaro parked in the garage. Lizana was still in the house, authorities said.

Investigators suspected Lizana, who has an arrest record of burglary, thefts and fraud in Mississippi, planned to steal the Camaro but was interrupted by deputies. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Capt. George Bonnett said Lizana drove to Smith's house, but left his car parked down the street.

A St. Tammany grand jury indicted Lizana Tuesday morning on a charge of first-degree murder, punishable upon conviction by death or life in prison.

He remains at the St. Tammany Parish jail with bond set at $1 million.

The grand jury also indicted a Folsom man on a charge of aggravated rape.

Michael Tuttle, 51, is accused of raping a woman in April after threatening to kill her if she did not cooperate.

Tuttle was also charged with domestic abuse and second-degree battery.

He is being held without bond at the St. Tammany Parish jail.

Claire Galofaro can be reached at cgalofaro@timespicayune.com or 985.898.4828.